Data storage device carrier system

ABSTRACT

A data storage device carrier system includes a carrier configured to support one or more data storage devices, a backplane, including one or more coupling connector devices configured to electrically couple with a motherboard, and an interposer board operable to couple a plurality of the data storage devices supported by the carrier with the backplane. In an embodiment, the one or more coupling connector devices are operable to transfer communication signals and electrical power. The interposer board is operable to provide the electrical power from a single port on the backplane to each of the plurality of the data storage devices. The interposer board is also operable to pass communication signals between a primary port on the backplane to a first one of the plurality of the data storage devices, and to pass communication signals between a secondary port on the backplane to a second one of the plurality of the data storage devices.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to information handlingsystems, and more particularly to a data storage device carrier systemto couple multiple data storage devices with an information handlingsystem backplane.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system (IHS). An IHS generallyprocesses, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data forbusiness, personal, or other purposes. Because technology andinformation handling needs and requirements may vary between differentapplications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allowfor IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific usesuch as financial transaction processing, airline reservations,enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, IHSs mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

IHSs may be configured with a variety of different hardware and softwarefeatures. For example, an IHS may be configured to use different sizeddata storage devices, such as different sized hard disk drives (HDDs).Due to the size difference of different sized data storage devices(e.g., 2.5″ HDDs & 3.5″ HDDs), there are usually different HDD carriersand backplanes to couple the data storage devices with the backplanes,depending on the size and configuration of the respective data storagedevice. This can be seen in the prior art figures shown in FIGS. 1A and1B. As should be readily understood, different backplanes for thedifferent sizes of data storage devices are generally not compatiblewith other sizes and configurations of data storage devices. As such, Ifan IHS manufacturer offers an option of using different data storagedevices (e.g., 2.5″ and 3.5″ HDDs) in an IHS, the manufacturer has todevelop, test and inventory different configurations of carriers and/orbackplanes for the different configurations available. In other words,allowing different sizes of data storage devices requires an IHSmanufacturer to develop and test different backplanes and differentchassis HDD carriers for each different size and combination of datastorage device allowed.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved data storagedevice carrier system operable to couple multiple data storage deviceswith a common IHS backplane.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a data storage device carrier systemincludes a carrier configured to support one or more data storagedevices, a backplane, including one or more coupling connector devicesconfigured to electrically couple with a motherboard, and an interposerboard operable to couple a plurality of the data storage devicessupported by the carrier with the backplane. In an embodiment, the oneor more coupling connector devices are operable to transfercommunication signals and electrical power. The interposer board isoperable to provide the electrical power from a single port on thebackplane to each of the plurality of the data storage devices. Theinterposer board is also operable to pass communication signals betweena primary port on the backplane to a first one of the plurality of thedata storage devices, and to pass communication signals between asecondary port on the backplane to a second one of the plurality of thedata storage devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate prior art embodiments for coupling differentsized hard disk drives with different backplanes for an informationhandling system (IHS).

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an informationhandling system (IHS).

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate isometric views of an embodiment of aninterposer device to couple multiple data storage devices with a commonbackplane in an information handling system (IHS).

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate isometric views of an embodiment of a commonbackplane used to couple multiple data storage devices with amotherboard in an IHS.

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevation view of an embodiment two data storagedevices coupling with backplane using an interposer.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block schematic diagram for an embodiment ofcommunications for coupling multiple data storage devices with abackplane using an interposer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, an IHS 100 includes any instrumentalityor aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify,process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display,manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form ofinformation, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, orother purposes. For example, an IHS 100 may be a personal computer, anetwork storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary insize, shape, performance, functionality, and price. Components of theIHS 100 may be coupled with a chassis 101. The IHS 100 may includerandom access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as acentral processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic,read only memory (ROM), and/or other types of nonvolatile memory.Additional components of the IHS 100 may include one or more diskdrives, one or more network ports for communicating with externaldevices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as akeyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The IHS 100 may also include oneor more buses operable to transmit communications between the varioushardware components.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one IHS 100. The IHS 100 includes aprocessor 102 such as an Intel Pentium™ series processor or any otherprocessor available. A memory I/O hub chipset 104 (comprising one ormore integrated circuits) connects to processor 102 over a front-sidebus 106. Memory I/O hub 104 provides the processor 102 with access to avariety of resources. Main memory 108 connects to memory I/O hub 104over a memory or data bus. A graphics processor 110 also connects tomemory I/O hub 104, allowing the graphics processor to communicate,e.g., with processor 102 and main memory 108. Graphics processor 110, inturn, provides display signals to a display device 112.

Other resources can also be coupled to the system through the memory I/Ohub 104 using a data bus, including an optical drive 114 or otherremovable-media drive, one or more hard disk drives 116A, 116B, one ormore network interfaces 118, one or more Universal Serial Bus (USB)ports 120, and a super I/O controller 122 to provide access to userinput devices 124, etc. The IHS 100 may also include a solid state drive(SSDs) 126 in place of, or in addition to main memory 108, the opticaldrive 114, and/or a hard disk drives 116 116A, 116B. It is understoodthat any or all of the drive devices 114, 116A, 116B, and 126 may belocated locally with the IHS 100, located remotely from the IHS 100,and/or they may be virtual with respect to the IHS 100.

Not all IHSs 100 include each of the components shown in FIG. 2, andother components not shown may exist. Furthermore, some components shownas separate may exist in an integrated package or be integrated in acommon integrated circuit with other components, for example, theprocessor 102 and the memory I/O hub 104 can be combined together. Ascan be appreciated, many systems are expandable, and include or caninclude a variety of components, including redundant or parallelresources.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate isometric views of an embodiment of aninterposer device 134 to couple multiple data storage devices (e.g.,HDDs 116A and 116B) with a common backplane 136 in an IHS 100 chassis101. It is to be understood that the data storage devices operable withthe interposer 134 may be hard disk drives 116A, 116B, solid statedrives 126 and/or any other type of data storage device. However, forsimplicity, the data storage devices will be referred to as the HDDs116A and 116B throughout the remainder of this disclosure. In addition,the data storage devices 116A, 116B may be any shape or size. As such,an embodiment contemplated enables the use of 2×2.5″ HDDs in place of asingle 3.5″ HDD using a standard 3.5″ HDD carrier frame 130. The twoHDDs 116A and 116B may be held to the carrier 130 with a bracket 132using screws, pins, hooks, or any other type of fastening system. Thecarrier 130 and the bracket 132 maybe metal plastic or any othersuitable material.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the carrier 130, holding two ormore HDDs 116A and 116B, may be coupled to the backplane 136 using theinterposer 134. Then, the backplane 136 may be directly or indirectlycoupled with a motherboard 138. The motherboard 138 may include theprocessor 102, the memory I/O hub 104 and/or other devices or systems.

The backplane 136 couples, directly or indirectly, with the motherboard138 via one or more connectors 140. The connectors 140 allowcommunications and/or electrical power to go between the motherboard 138and the backplane 136. Any type or shape of connector 140 may be used.Similarly, backplane connectors 142 are used to connect one or more HDDassemblies 116A and/or 116 b with the backplane. The connector 142 is beconfigured to couple directly with a HDD 116A/116B using the HDDconnectors 146 on the HDDs 116A and 116B and also to couple with the HDD116A/116B using the interposer/backplane connector 144 via theinterposer 134. Also, connectors 146 are used to couple the HDDs 116Aand 116B with the interposer 134 by mating with connectors 148. It iscontemplated that standard HDD and backplane connectors are used withthe present disclosure, however, any size and form of connector may beused. Electrical power and/or communication signals may pass through anyof the connectors 140, 142, 144, 146 and/or 148.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate isometric views of an embodiment of a commonbackplane 136 used to couple multiple data storage devices 116A and 116Bwith a motherboard 138 in an IHS 100. As can be seen, the backplaneconnector 142 provides for a SATA/SAS primary physical link, a SASsecondary physical link, and electrical power. SATA and SAS are wellknown data transfer communication standards. SATA stands for serialadvanced technology attachment and SAS stands for serial attached smallcomputer system interface. The HDDs 116A and/or 116B may be configuredas SATA or SAS HDDs. The backplane connector 142 is configured toprovide electrical power and data communication pathways from themotherboard 138 and/or other components of the IHS 100 to a HDD 116A or116B coupling with the HDD connector 146. However, using the interposer134, one can couple multiple HDDs 116A and 116B to the backplane 136using a single backplane connector 142. In an embodiment, multiple 2.5″HDDs 116A and 116B are stacked one on top of the other using a standard3.5″ carrier 130. However, it should be understood that the interposer134 may be configured to accommodate arrangement of the multiple HDDs116A and 116B to couple with the backplane 136 using a single backplaneconnector 142.

As can also be seen in FIG. 4B, the backplane connector 142 includespins for passing SATA/SAS communication signals across the SATA/SASprimary port 164, SAS communication signals across the SAS secondaryport 168 and electrical power across the power port 158. The pin-outsfor these ports 158, 164 and 168 should be readily understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art and are readily supported in the SATAand SAS arts. However, other pin-out configurations are contemplated.

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevation view of an embodiment two data storagedevices 116A and 116B coupling with a single backplane pin 142 using aninterposer 134. In an embodiment, using two 2.5″ HDDs 116A and 116B, thetwo HDDs 116A and 116B can be stacked together on the carrier 130 andfit into a slot on the chassis 101 of the IHS 100 designed to fit asingle 3.5″ HDD. The HDD connectors 146 mate with and couple with theinterposer/HDD connectors 148 on the interposer 134 for passingelectrical power and communications signals. Circuitry is provided onthe interposer 134 to pass the electrical power and the communicationssignals through the interposer/backplane connector 144 to the backplaneconnector 142 and on to the backplane 136.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block schematic diagram of communications of anembodiment for coupling multiple data storage devices (e.g., HDDs 116Aand 116B) with a backplane 136 of an IHS 100 using the interposer 134.When the HDDs 116A and 116B are mated with the interposer 134 and thenthe interposer 134 is mated with the backplane 136, electrical power 160is provided from the backplane 136 via the electrical power port 158 andthen transferred to both of the HDDs 116A and 116B using the connectors146 and 148. When the HDDs 116A and 116B are mated with the interposer134 and then the interposer 134 is mated with the backplane 136,SATA/SAS communication signals 162 are provided to and from the HDD 116Avia the primary communication port 164 of the connector 142 and SAScommunication signals 166 are provided to and from the HDD 116B via thesecondary port 168 of the connector 142. As such, it should beunderstood that data can be transferred to two HDDs 116A and 116B usingprimary and secondary ports, respectively. A controller associated withthe HDDs 116A and/or 116B determines whether the communications are tofollow the SATA protocol or the SAS protocol.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides for using existinginfrastructure in IHSs 100, such as the Dell Data Center Solutions (DCS)products and other industry standard products, thus allowing for rapiddevelopment with minimal impact to existing customers. Thus, one couldtheoretically double their internal data storage capacity by using theinterposer 134 to connect two 2.5″ HDDs (e.g., 116A and 116B) in theplace of a previous single 3.5″ HDD. As shown in the figures, oneembodiment of the disclosure includes a 3.5″ form factor HDD carrier130, an interposer board 134, a mounting bracket 132 and a backplane136. The mounting bracket 132 helps to hold the two HDDs 116A and 116Bin place on the carrier 130, but is not required. It is to be understoodthat the combination of these components provide a carrier assembly withthe following properties: (1) This carrier 130 continues to supportstandard 3.5″ SAS and SATA HDDs (in this instance, the interposer andmounting bracket are not needed); and (2) With the use of the interposerboard 134, the carrier 130 can now house two—2.5″ SAS, SATA and/or SSDHDDS. In another embodiment two—1.8″ SAS, SATA or SSD HDDs can also beused.

In summary, the carrier 130 and the bracket 132 may be used to stack-uptwo HDDs, such as two—2.5″ HDDs. The interposer card 134 can collect andallow to pass two HDD communication signals (e.g., 162 and 166) into oneSAS connector 142 by utilizing the primary port 164 and the secondaryport 168. The SAS connector 144 on interposer card 134 that connects tothe backplane 136 connects the signals 162, 166 for the two HDDs 116Aand 116B using the connector's primary port 164 and the secondary port168, respectively. The signals 162, 166 then flow to and from thebackplane 136, as shown in FIG. 6.

In a typical backplane 136 design the SAS connector 142 for each HDD cantransfer two HDD communication signals. As such, the present disclosureis able to be accomplished using the same backplane 136 for bothdifferent sizes of HDDs (e.g., 3.5″ HDDs and two—2.5″ HDDs). Thisachieves a higher data storage density (e.g., two—2.5″ HDDs) into a slotin the chassis 101 of the IHS 100 using one 3.5″ HDD carrier 130. Inother words, a 3.5″ HDD carrier 130 can install a single 3.5″ HDD, ortwo—2.5 HDDs, using the same backplane 136. By using the same backplane136 across standard IHS 100 configurations, this disclosure reduces theoverhead and development costs and can generally reduce the number ofnecessary carrier designs.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a widerange of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of theembodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of theembodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data storage device carrier system comprising:a carrier configured to support a single first type data storage deviceor a plurality of second type data storage devices; a backplaneincluding one or more motherboard coupling connectors configured toelectrically couple with a motherboard, and including a backplane firsttype data storage connector configured to couple to a first type datastorage device, wherein the backplane is operable to transfercommunication signals and electrical power to the backplane first typedata storage connector; and an interposer board including a plurality ofinterposer second type data storage connectors that are each operable tocouple to a respective second type data storage devices supported by thecarrier, and including an interposer first type data storage connectorthat is configured to couple with the backplane first type data storageconnector, wherein the interposer board is operable to provideelectrical power from a first port on the backplane first type datastorage connector to each of the second type data storage devicesthrough the respective interposer second type data storage connectors,and wherein the interposer board is operable pass communication signalsbetween a second port on the backplane first type data storage connectorto a first one of the second type data storage devices through therespective interposer second type data storage connector, and whereinthe interposer board is operable to pass communication signals between athird port on the backplane first type data storage connector to asecond one of the second type data storage devices through therespective interposer second type data storage connector.
 2. The datastorage device carrier system of claim 1, wherein the communicationsignals for one or more of the second type data storage devices are SATAcommunication signals.
 3. The data storage device carrier system ofclaim 1, wherein the communication signals for one or more of the secondtype data storage devices are SAS communication signals.
 4. The datastorage device carrier system of claim 1, wherein one or more of thefirst type and second type data storage devices is a hard disk drive(HDD).
 5. The data storage device carrier system of claim 1, wherein oneor more of the first type and second type data storage devices is asolid state drive (SSD).
 6. The data storage device carrier system ofclaim 1, wherein the carrier is configured to support the single firsttype data storage device that includes a single 3.5″ data storage deviceor the plurality of second type data storage devices that include twostacked 2.5″ data storage devices.
 7. The data storage device carriersystem of claim 1, further comprising: a bracket operable to secure theplurality of second type data storage devices to the carrier.
 8. Aninformation handling system (IHS) comprising: a motherboard including aprocessor; memory coupled with the processor; and a data storage devicecarrier system, wherein the data storage device carrier systemcomprises: a carrier supporting a plurality of second type data storagedevices; a backplane including one or more motherboard couplingconnectors electrically coupled with the motherboard, and including abackplane first type data storage connector configured to couple to afirst type data storage device, wherein the backplane is operable totransfer communication signals and electrical power to the backplanefirst type data storage connector; and an interposer board including aplurality of interposer second type data storage connectors that areeach coupled to a respective one of the plurality of the second typedata storage devices supported by the carrier, and including aninterposer first type data storage connector that is coupled with thebackplane first type data storage connector, wherein the interposerboard is operable to provide electrical power from a first port on thebackplane first type data storage connector to each of the second typedata storage devices through respective interposer second type datastorage connectors, and wherein the interposer board is operable passcommunication signals between a second port on the backplane first typedata storage connector to a first one of the second type data storagedevices through the respective interposer second type data storageconnector, and wherein the interposer board is operable to passcommunication signals between a third port on the backplane first typedata storage connector to a second one of the second type data storagedevices through the respective interposer second type data storageconnector.
 9. The IHS of claim 8, wherein the communication signals forone or more of the second type data storage devices are SATAcommunication signals.
 10. The IHS of claim 8, wherein the communicationsignals for one or more of the second type data storage devices are SAScommunication signals.
 11. The IHS of claim 8, wherein one or more ofthe first type and second type data storage devices is a hard disk drive(HDD).
 12. The IHS of claim 8, wherein one or more of the first type andsecond type data storage devices is a solid state drive (SSD).
 13. TheIHS of claim 8, wherein the carrier is configured to support a singlefirst type data storage device that includes a single 3.5″ data storagedevice or the plurality of second type data storage devices that includetwo stacked 2.5″ data storage devices.
 14. The IHS of claim 8, furthercomprising: a bracket securing the plurality of second type data storagedevices to the carrier.
 15. A method to couple a plurality of datastorage devices with a motherboard, the method comprising: supporting,with a carrier, a plurality of second type data storage devices;providing a backplane including one or more motherboard couplingconnectors electrically coupled with a motherboard, and including abackplane first type data storage connector configured to couple to afirst type data storage device, wherein the backplane transferscommunication signals and electrical power to the backplane first typedata storage connector; and coupling an interposer first type datastorage connector on an interposer board to the backplane first typedata storage connector; coupling the plurality of second type datastorage devices supported by the carrier to a respective interposersecond type data storage connector on the interposer board; providingelectrical power from a first port on the backplane first type datastorage connector, through the interposer board, and to each of theplurality of the data storage devices through respective interposersecond type data storage connectors; passing communication signals froma second port on the backplane first type data storage connector,through the interposer board, and to a first one of the second type datastorage devices through the respective interposer second type datastorage connector; and passing communication signals between a thirdport on the backplane first type data storage connector, through theinterposer board, and to a second one of the second type data storagedevices through the respective interposer second type data storageconnector.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication signalsfor one or more of the second type data storage devices are SATAcommunication signals.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein thecommunication signals for one or more of the second type data storagedevices are SAS communication signals.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein one or more of the first type and second type data storagedevices is a hard disk drive (HDD).
 19. The method of claim 15, whereinone or more of the first type and second type data storage devices is asolid state drive (SSD).
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the carrieris configured to support a single first type data storage device thatincludes a single 3.5″ data storage device or the plurality of secondtype data storage devices that include two stacked 2.5″ data storagedevices.